Chike Ukaegbu

Chike Ukaegbu, author and originator of The HEROES Model, is an alumni Fellow of the prestigious Colin Powell Center for Leadership and Policy Studies, focusing on Youth related policies. He studied Biomedical Engineering at The City College of New York where he is currently a Math Instructor. Chike has been involved in youth policy research and evaluation for more than 7 years. He develops and implements effective youth programs, and presently serves as Co-Founder and President of Re:LIFE Incorporated. Re:LIFE is a NYC based Non-Profit Organization with the mission to empower youth through education and entrepreneurship. Chike’s research focuses on positive engagement, development and empowerment of youth by addressing the problems of youth disconnection, youth poverty, educational disadvantage and opportunity divide. He is the creator of the HEROES model for positive youth re-engagement, and has designed several programs that incorporate the HEROES model. As an educator and entrepreneurship specialist, Chike’s efforts and dedication to youth development continues to engineer the successful transition of youth from disconnection to entrepreneurship or higher education. He is also a youth motivational speaker who has spoken to audiences both local and international. As an entrepreneur who has launched 3 businesses, he continually draws on his experiences to motivate, encourage and inspire urban/at-risk youth to achieve, regardless of past histories, experiences and challenges. Chike is also a guest contributor on Huffington Post Live TV segments, as well as a Journal and Book Reviewer for the Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy (ASAP) system. He also serves as a consultant on Organizational Branding and Marketing and is a recurring speaker at the Center for Nonprofit Success’ Lecture Series on organizational branding and marketing strategies for budding entrepreneurs, Non-profit Executives, Development and Marketing Directors and PR personnel. His lectures include strategies on how to establish and maintain online presence, the importance of individual and organizational branding in the social media age, and effective brand marketing strategies. He is the founder of Thomas & Isaac, Inc., parent company of a newly launched men’s accessories line called Tom Isaac (www.tomisaac.com). He is also the originator of The {Black:Higher} Black:Spring series, which is an annual Black History Month commemoration of Black History, Struggles and Experiences via literature and discussions. These explore the state, achievements and influence of Black Culture in America, and its impact on our youth. Of all these, to Chike, his greatest accomplishment has been the establishment of his Educational and Entrepreneurship Leadership Fund (EELF) in Africa. To him, EELF gives him the humbling opportunity to better youth lives. EELF provides its Scholars with different levels of need-based educational scholarships, as well as seed capital to youth entrepreneurs. Educational Scholarships are awarded at the elementary, secondary and university levels.

We formed a New York corporation for Chike.

Chike continues to invent and implement several initiatives that positively impact youth lives.